Noninvasive Spinal Cord Stimulation: Technical Aspects and Therapeutic Applications

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Electrical and magnetic trans-spinal stimulation modulate motor output and central nervous system excitability.
• Transcranial stimulation techniques influence brain excitability, impacting spinal cord function.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate noninvasive neuromodulatory techniques for spinal cord disorders.
• Assess therapeutic usefulness in healthy subjects and neurorehabilitation.
• Discuss underlying mechanisms of action for spinal cord stimulation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review using PubMed (MEDLINE) and EMBASE.
• Extensive review of published studies on noninvasive spinal cord stimulation.

Main Results:

• Electrical and magnetic trans-spinal stimulation can decrease spinal reflex excitability, aiding in hypertonia treatment.
• Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation induces neuroplastic changes and influences spinal pathways.
• Repetitive magnetic stimulation and paired peripheral/transcranial stimulation show potential for neuromodulation in spinal cord injury.

Conclusions:

• Noninvasive spinal stimulation offers insights into spinal cord physiology and pathophysiology.
• Transcutaneous direct current and repetitive magnetic stimulation show therapeutic promise for spinal cord disorders.
• Further controlled studies are required to validate preliminary findings.